CEO's Demand C-Suite Be AI Savvy

But what about Quantum Tech?

The 2025 Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey emphasizes AI as the dominant technology shaping competitive landscapes, with 77% of CEOs viewing it as transformative, yet these same CEO’s “feel their organization's leading technology experts lack the knowledge and capabilities to support, drive, or accelerate business outcomes in this evolving landscape.”

And what about quantum tech? While quantum technologies are gaining attention, CEO’s generally perceive C-suite understanding of quantum computing as limited compared to AI, due to its nascent stage and complexity.

Image source: Brian Lenahan/Midjourney

Key Insights on CEO Perceptions of C-Suite Quantum Savviness

My experience

Despite the growing investment in quantum technologies in 2025, in my experience, the end-user C-Suite remains well behind the industry, and for many reasons. AI proliferation, tariff uncertainties, geopolitical changes, core customer priorities and many more. When I speak with C-Suite level people, the one topic that consistently comes to the fore is that of cryptographic risk, which I have written about in this substack library many times before.

In my practice, the primary focus is getting CEO’s to put quantum technology, at the very least, on their roadmap. A small investment now with a big potential reward in future. Yet it’s important one looks more broadly to understand the perspectives of CEO’s around the globe on the relative importance of quantum technologies here in 2025.

Global Experience

1. Limited C-Suite Savviness Due to Quantum’s Early Stage:

   A May 2025 Business Insider article quotes IBM’s Jay Gambetta as saying that corporate leaders not dedicating resources to quantum computing are “already too late,” implying a perceived lag in C-suite readiness. The article suggests that CEOs recognize quantum’s potential but see a gap in expertise, as C-suite executives are not yet prioritizing quantum at the same level as AI. This is attributed to quantum computing’s longer timeline to commercial viability (7–15 years for gate-model systems, according to some industry experts). Microsoft’s Aseem Datar emphasized the need for organizations to start building quantum roadmaps now, indicating that CEOs may view their C-suite as underprepared for integrating quantum strategies into current business frameworks.

2. Focus on AI Over Quantum:

   McKinsey’s Quantum Technology Monitor 2025 notes a shift in private investment away from quantum technologies toward generative AI, with public funding for quantum increasing by over 50% since 2022. This suggests CEOs prioritize AI’s immediate applications, potentially viewing C-suite quantum knowledge as secondary or underdeveloped due to fewer tangible use cases. Similarly, the PwC 27th Annual Global CEO Survey (2024, referenced in 2025 analyses) does not include quantum but shows CEOs focusing on immediate risks and opportunities like AI, implying quantum technologies are less understood or prioritized by C-suites, who are grappling with more mature technologies.

3. Emerging Awareness but Skill Gaps:

   A 2024 QuEra survey of quantum professionals, indicated faster-than-expected progress in quantum technology. However, it notes that organizations require significant upskilling, as even technical C-suite roles (e.g., CIOs, CTOs) lack the specialized knowledge needed for quantum applications. CEOs likely perceive this as a barrier, especially since quantum computing requires expertise in areas like quantum error correction and algorithm design, which are not yet mainstream. A January 2025 Forbes article on quantum resilience by Skip Sanzeri emphasizes the need for organizational alignment on post-quantum cybersecurity, suggesting that CEOs see a lack of cohesive C-suite understanding of quantum’s implications, particularly in security contexts like post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

4. Industry-Specific Perceptions in Finance:

   A Financial Innovation review (February 2025) highlights quantum computing’s potential in finance for portfolio optimization, fraud detection, and Monte Carlo methods. However, it notes that practical applications are still emerging, suggesting that CEOs in this sector may view their C-suite as knowledgeable about quantum’s theoretical benefits but lacking hands-on expertise to implement solutions. Moody’s (February 2025) predicts the financial industry as an early adopter of quantum computing, but the focus on experimental developments implies that CEOs see C-suite savviness as theoretical rather than operational, with few executives ready to deploy quantum solutions.

5. Calls for Education and Preparation:

   Industry participants offered their predictions for 2025 to The Quantum Insider including “The quantum ecosystem will mature further as AI and quantum firms merge or collaborate, driving faster commercialisation and adoption. Quantum platforms will emerge, offering seamless integration of classical, AI, and quantum resources.” This suggests CEOs perceive a need for external support to bridge knowledge gaps within their leadership teams and expertise in multiple fields.

Summary

CEOs perceive C-suite savviness in quantum technologies as limited compared to AI, primarily due to quantum computing’s early-stage development and complex technical requirements. While there is growing awareness of quantum’s potential—especially in areas like cybersecurity, finance, and optimization—CEOs likely see their C-suite as lacking the practical expertise needed to leverage quantum technologies effectively. This perception is driven by the dominance of AI in current strategies, the long timeline for quantum’s commercial impact, and the need for specialized knowledge that is not yet widespread among executives. Sources like IBM, McKinsey, and Forbes highlight a call for upskilling and strategic preparation, suggesting CEOs recognize the need to close this gap to stay competitive.

Brian Lenahan is founder and chair of the Quantum Strategy Institute, author of seven Amazon published books on quantum technologies and artificial intelligence and a Substack Top 100 Rising in Technology. Brian’s focus on the practical side of technology ensures you will get the guidance and inspiration you need to gain value from quantum now and into the future. Brian does not purport to be an expert in each field or subfield for which he provides science communication.

Brian’s books are available on Amazon. Quantum Strategy for Business course is available on the QURECA platform.

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